West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday announced several welfare measures, including ₹5 fish-rice meals at around 400 canteens across the state twice a week. He also said forms for the Annapurna Yojana, which promises ₹3,000 monthly support for women, will be issued from May 27. Adhikari added that liquor shops will not be allowed within one kilometre of schools, colleges and places of worship. The chief minister also announced a separate AYUSH department for the state. Since taking office earlier this month, Adhikari has unveiled multiple policy changes and administrative decisions in West Bengal. (PC: HT)

Samarth Singh, husband of former actor-model Twisha Sharma, told police that she became emotionally distressed after an abortion and that her behaviour changed after learning about her pregnancy in April. Singh, who is on seven-day police remand in Bhopal, also claimed he had given Twisha Rs 7 lakh but did not explain why. The Central Bureau of Investigation has taken over the probe into Twisha’s death after Supreme Court directions. Twisha was found dead at her matrimonial home on May 12. Her family has accused Singh and his relatives of dowry harassment, abuse and tampering with evidence. Singh has denied the allegations. (PC: X)

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) apologised after Delhi Class 12 student Vedant Shrivastava discovered that another student’s Physics answer sheet had been uploaded under his roll number during re-evaluation. Vedant Shrivastava had raised concerns on social media after receiving unexpectedly low marks in Physics. His post later went viral, with several users trolling him online and calling him “Pakistani” because his X profile location showed “South Asia”. CBSE later admitted the mismatch, emailed him the correct answer sheet and said his marks would be revised. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also criticised the online abuse. (PC: HT)

Convicted Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was released from Haryana’s Sunaria jail on a 30-day parole on Tuesday, officials said. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh left the Rohtak jail under heavy police security and travelled to the Dera headquarters in Sirsa. The self-styled godman has been in jail since 2017 after being convicted in rape cases involving two women disciples and is serving a 20-year sentence. He was also sentenced to life imprisonment in the murder case of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. This marks the 16th parole or furlough granted to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh since 2020, drawing repeated criticism from opposition parties and social groups. (PC: India Today)

A farmer from Malkangiri has successfully cultivated the rare Miyazaki Mango, a premium Japanese fruit known for fetching exceptionally high prices in international markets. According to reports, farmer Deba Padhiami received the sapling four years ago and nurtured it until it began bearing fruit. Originating from Japan’s Miyazaki Prefecture, the mango is renowned for its reddish-purple colour, sweetness and smooth texture. However, despite growing one of the world’s most expensive mango varieties, Padhiami lacks access to buyers, marketing channels and export networks. He has also begun guarding the tree at night, fearing theft as curiosity around the rare fruit grows.

CNG prices in Delhi were increased by Rs 2 per kg on May 26, taking the retail rate to Rs 83.09 per kg and marking the fourth hike in 11 days. The cumulative increase since May 15 now stands at Rs 7 per kg. Earlier revisions included a Rs 2 hike on May 15 and Re 1 increases on Friday and Sunday. While prices of piped natural gas and domestic LPG remain unchanged, rising global crude oil prices continue to pressure fuel retailers. Industry sources attribute the surge to supply concerns linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz amid the US-Iran conflict. Higher fuel costs are expected to impact transportation and inflation. (PC: India Today)

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has amended the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000, requiring households that obtain a Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connection to surrender their domestic LPG connection or secure a transfer voucher within 30 days. The notification took effect immediately after publication in the Official Gazette. Households acquiring PNG can no longer receive LPG cylinder refills from the date of PNG activation. The transfer voucher allows restoration of an LPG connection in a non-PNG area, benefiting transferable employees, migrants, tenants and students. The legally binding amendment aims to end simultaneous LPG and PNG usage amid concerns over natural gas shortages linked to the West Asia conflict. (PC: The Tribune)

The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 has triggered widespread debate after candidates and educators described General Studies Paper 1 as among the toughest and most unpredictable in recent years. More than 8 lakh aspirants appeared for the exam, with many reporting unusually lengthy questions, complex interlinked statements and severe time pressure. Mentors said the paper expanded from around 40 pages in previous years to nearly 56 pages, increasing reading demands without extending examination time. Critics argued that some questions appeared loosely connected to the official syllabus. While UPSC unpredictability is well known, educators suggested this year’s format tested information processing speed as much as subject knowledge. (PC: X/India Today)

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Monday declined urgent hearing on petitions linked to the viral Cockroach Janta Party movement and urged lawyers not to react “so sentimentally” to the controversy. A Supreme Court bench led by the CJI said there was no grave urgency in the matter. The petitions sought action against alleged misuse of courtroom remarks and a probe into activities linked to the satirical online campaign. The controversy began after Justice Kant’s remarks comparing some unemployed youth to “cockroaches” during a hearing on fake law degrees triggered backlash on social media. (PC: HT)

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said India must closely monitor fuel, fertiliser and foreign exchange reserves as the US-Iran conflict pushes up global prices and affects domestic markets. Speaking at the SIDBI anniversary event in Mumbai, Sitharaman said fertiliser prices had reached “unimaginable levels” while rising crude oil prices were increasing pressure on India’s economy. Petrol and diesel prices have been raised four times in less than two weeks. The finance minister said the Centre had absorbed a revenue impact of over Rs 1 lakh crore through excise duty cuts. She also urged timely payments to MSMEs facing working capital stress. (PC: NDTV)